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MotorGuide Xi3 54 lb pontoon (12 V, 48" shaft, electric steer)

MotorGuide

shop.motorguide.com/products/motors/freshwater/xi3.html

The MotorGuide Xi3 54 lb pontoon (12 V, 48" shaft, electric steer) is a trolling motor with 54 lb, a 12 V system and a peak draw of 52 A.

Last updated: 16 September 2026

What we found

  • 5 battery models are matched as running it across 2 brands, by setting each maker's published figures against the other — neither names the pairing.
  • 12 V deep cycle marine batteries.
  • Sonar must not run off the trolling motor battery.
  • Published as 12 V · 52 A · 54 lb.
  • 20 specifications are published for it, each with the source it was read from.

Assembled from the evidence on this page. Every figure and count below is shown with the source it was read from.

At a glance

System voltage 12 VPeak draw 52 A54 LB thrust

That is a peak, not a continuous rating. The maker publishes no continuous draw for this — see below for what they say about it — so a pack sized on the figure above is sized for the worst moment rather than for the load it will hold.

The maker’s own installation requirements: 50-amp (good) or 60-amp (best) manual reset circuit breaker, 10-gauge included, not extended beyond 1.8 m (6 ft); 8-gauge beyond that. A battery that meets the draw does not make the wiring optional.

Note that 52 A is higher than the smallest breaker the maker names above (50 A). That is our arithmetic from their own two figures, not a statement about which breaker to fit — read the manual for your own motor before choosing one.

What this device draws

Steering
Wireless Remote

Digital Variable Forward Wireless Remote 3bl Machete Compatible

Source: motorguide.com/content/dam/motorguide/owners-resources/product-catalog/MotorGuide_Catalog_3-1-23_WEB.pdf

Continuous draw
A maximum; no continuous rating is published

MODEL PART NUMBER PROP 65 PEAK THRUST SHAFT LENGTH MAX AMP DRAW VOLTAGE

Source: motorguide.com/content/dam/motorguide/owners-resources/product-catalog/MotorGuide_Catalog_3-1-23_WEB.pdf

Max amp draw
52 A at 12 V

Xi3-54FW 48" PONTOON 940700210 54 LB 48" 52 12

Source: motorguide.com/content/dam/motorguide/owners-resources/product-catalog/MotorGuide_Catalog_3-1-23_WEB.pdf

Max thrust
54 lb

Xi3-54FW 48" PONTOON 940700210 54 LB 48" 52 12

Source: motorguide.com/content/dam/motorguide/owners-resources/product-catalog/MotorGuide_Catalog_3-1-23_WEB.pdf

Propeller fitted
3bl Machete

Digital Variable Forward Wireless Remote 3bl Machete Compatible

Source: motorguide.com/content/dam/motorguide/owners-resources/product-catalog/MotorGuide_Catalog_3-1-23_WEB.pdf

Speed control
Digital Variable Forward

Digital Variable Forward Wireless Remote 3bl Machete Compatible

Source: motorguide.com/content/dam/motorguide/owners-resources/product-catalog/MotorGuide_Catalog_3-1-23_WEB.pdf

System voltage
12 V

Xi3-54FW 48" PONTOON 940700210 54 LB 48" 52 12

Source: motorguide.com/content/dam/motorguide/owners-resources/product-catalog/MotorGuide_Catalog_3-1-23_WEB.pdf

What battery it needs

What the maker says about capacity
No figure — the maker says only that higher is better

As a general rule, deep cycle batteries with a higher amp-hour rating or reserve capacity rating will provide longer run times and better performance.

Source: motorguide.com/content/dam/motorguide/owners-resources/owners-manuals/Xi3 Owners Manual - 2017.pdf

Batteries the maker names
RELiON RB80/RB100, or an SLA/AGM group 27-31

RELiON BATTERIES RB80, RB100 or any SLA/AGM 27-31 Series Deep Cycle Battery

Source: motorguide.com/content/dam/motorguide/owners-resources/sell-sheets/MG_SellSheet_Xi3Freshwater_12-20-22.pdf

Cable supplied, and how far it may run
10-gauge as supplied; 8 mm² (8-gauge) for longer runs

Do not extend the included 10-gauge battery cables more than 1.8 m (6 ft) for a total of 3 m (10 ft). If longer battery cables are required, MotorGuide offers accessory 8 mm² (8-gauge) battery cables.

Source: motorguide.com/content/dam/motorguide/owners-resources/owners-manuals/Xi3 Owners Manual - 2017.pdf

What must not share this battery
Sonar must not run off the trolling motor battery

Do not power any depth sounders or fish finders from the trolling motor battery. Connecting electronic equipment to the trolling motor batteries can cause electrical interference. Any depth sounders or fish finders must be powered from the engine starting or accessory battery.

Source: motorguide.com/content/dam/motorguide/owners-resources/owners-manuals/Xi3 Owners Manual - 2017.pdf

How close the breaker must be
Within 1.8 m (6 ft) of the batteries

Install a manual reset circuit breaker in line with the trolling motor positive leads within 1.8 m (6 ft) of the batteries. These can be purchased from your local MotorGuide retailer or from www.motorguide.com.

Source: motorguide.com/content/dam/motorguide/owners-resources/owners-manuals/Xi3 Owners Manual - 2017.pdf

When it must not be charged
Do not charge with the motor deployed

Do not charge the trolling motor batteries while the trolling motor is in the deployed (down) position.

Source: motorguide.com/content/dam/motorguide/owners-resources/owners-manuals/Xi3 Owners Manual - 2017.pdf

Circuit breaker it requires
50 A (good) or 60 A (best), manual reset

Recommended MotorGuide Accessory Description 8-gauge battery cable and terminals with 50-amp manual reset circuit breaker 50-amp manual reset circuit breaker 60-amp manual reset circuit breaker

Source: motorguide.com/content/dam/motorguide/owners-resources/owners-manuals/Xi3 Owners Manual - 2017.pdf

Whether the engine battery may be used
A dedicated trolling motor battery or bank

Do not use the main engine battery to power the trolling motor. Use a dedicated trolling motor battery or battery bank. Do not charge the trolling motor batteries while the trolling motor is in the deployed (down) position.

Source: motorguide.com/content/dam/motorguide/owners-resources/owners-manuals/Xi3 Owners Manual - 2017.pdf

Battery type the maker recommends
12 V deep cycle marine batteries

Use 12-volt, deep cycle marine batteries. The number of batteries required varies according to the model of your trolling motor. Refer to Battery Connection.

Source: motorguide.com/content/dam/motorguide/owners-resources/owners-manuals/Xi3 Owners Manual - 2017.pdf

Size and fit

Shaft length
48"

Xi3-54FW 48" PONTOON 940700210 54 LB 48" 52 12

Source: motorguide.com/content/dam/motorguide/owners-resources/product-catalog/MotorGuide_Catalog_3-1-23_WEB.pdf

How it mounts
Bow mount

ELECTRIC STEER \\ BOW MOUNT \\ FRESHWATER

Source: motorguide.com/content/dam/motorguide/owners-resources/sell-sheets/MG_SellSheet_Xi3Freshwater_12-20-22.pdf

Water it is built for
Freshwater

FRESHWATER–PONTOON Xi3-54FW 48" PONTOON 940700210 54 LB 48" 52 12

Source: motorguide.com/content/dam/motorguide/owners-resources/product-catalog/MotorGuide_Catalog_3-1-23_WEB.pdf

Identity

Manufacturer's product code
940700210

Xi3-54FW 48" PONTOON 940700210 54 LB 48" 52 12

Source: motorguide.com/content/dam/motorguide/owners-resources/product-catalog/MotorGuide_Catalog_3-1-23_WEB.pdf

Batteries documented to run this

The figures below line up. Neither manufacturer states that this pack runs this device — that is our reading of what each of them published separately, not a claim by either of them or a test by us. Even where every stated figure agrees, these can still decide it:

  • A motor’s published draw is usually a peak, not the load it holds — the two numbers are not the same kind of quantity
  • A maker’s amp-hour minimum and their reserve-capacity minimum can give different answers about the same battery
  • Conditions attached to the chemistry, such as a speed limit for running on lithium
  • Whether the pack may be wired in series at all, where the device needs 24 or 36 volts
  • The charger, which both makers put conditions on and neither supplies
  • Case size, hold-down and terminal type — fitting the space is not being secured in it

Worth confirming with the manufacturer or a dealer before buying.

  • LiTime 12V 100Ah TMFigures compared

    One of these, on its own, at 12 V.

    This product is suitable for 12V trolling motors up to 70 lb thrust; 2*identical batteries in series for 24V trolling motors up to 100 lb thrust; 3*identical batteries in series for 36V trolling motors up to 120 lb thrust.

    Only within LiTime's ceiling of 70 lb of thrust for a 12 volt motor, which this motor's 54 lb is

    LiTime 12.8V 100Ah Trolling Motor Battery — Product ManualMANUFACTURER DOCUMENT

    LiTime

    Source: cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0667/7220/5788/files/LiTime_12.8V_100Ah_Trolling_Motor_Battery_-_User_Manual.pdf

    Retrieved September 11, 2026

  • One of these, on its own, at 12 V.

    This product is suitable for 12V trolling motors up to 70lb thrust; 2*identical batteries in series for 24V trolling motors up to 100lb thrust; 3*identical batteries in series for 36V trolling motors up to 120lb thrust.

    Only within LiTime's ceiling of 70 lb of thrust for a 12 volt motor, which this motor's 54 lb is

    LiTime 12.8V 100Ah Trolling Motor Smart Battery — User ManualMANUFACTURER DOCUMENT

    LiTime

    Source: cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0667/7220/5788/files/LiTime_12.8V_100Ah_Trolling_Motor_Smart_Battery_-_User_Manual.pdf

    Retrieved September 11, 2026

  • LiTime 12V 50Ah TMFigures compared

    One of these, on its own, at 12 V.

    This product is suitable for 12V trolling motors up to 70lb thrust; 2*identical batteries in series for 24V trolling motors up to 100lb thrust; 3*identical batteries in series for 36V trolling motors up to 120lb thrust.

    Only within LiTime's ceiling of 70 lb of thrust for a 12 volt motor, which this motor's 54 lb is

    LiTime 12V 50Ah TM — Product ManualMANUFACTURER DOCUMENT

    LiTime

    Source: cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0667/7220/5788/files/LiTime_12V_50Ah_Trolling_Motor_Smart_Battery_-_User_Manual.pdf

    Retrieved September 11, 2026

  • One of these, on its own, at 12 V.

    One 12V 100Ah Smart Bluetooth Marine for Trolling Motor battery is suitable for 12V trolling motors up to 70 lbs thrust; 2*identical batteries in series for 24V trolling motors up to 100 lbs thrust; 3*identical batteries in series for 36V trolling motors up to 120 lbs thrust.

    Only within Redodo's ceiling of 70 lb of thrust for a 12 volt motor, which this motor's 54 lb is

    Redodo 12V 100Ah Group 31 Bluetooth Battery — Product ManualMANUFACTURER DOCUMENT

    Redodo

    Source: cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0561/7641/0714/files/Redodo_12V_100Ah_Group31_Bluetooth_Battery.pdf?v=1756804417

    Retrieved September 12, 2026

  • One of these, on its own, at 12 V.

    One 12V 100Ah LOW-TEMP battery is suitable for 12V trolling motors up to 70 lbs thrust; 2*identical batteries in series for 24V trolling motors up to 100 lbs thrust; 3*identical batteries in series for 36V trolling motors up to 120 lbs thrust.

    Only within Redodo's ceiling of 70 lb of thrust for a 12 volt motor, which this motor's 54 lb is

    Redodo 12V 100Ah Low-Temp Trolling Motor Battery — Product ManualMANUFACTURER DOCUMENT

    Redodo

    Source: cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0561/7641/0714/files/Redodo_12V_100Ah_low_temp_lithium_trolling_motor_battery_product_manual.pdf?v=1715855487

    Retrieved September 12, 2026